The Meghalaya government has informed the NHRC that 877 newborn babies and 61 mothers have died because pregnant women refused to go to hospitals for delivery during the pandemic due to fears of contracting the disease.
After the NHRC registered a case over the high number of maternal and newborn deaths in the state during the pandemic, the Meghalaya government has recently submitted the action taken report.
The report indicated that the newborn deaths were caused by the lack of medical attention and care, as pregnant women refused to go to health institutions due to fear and stigma of contracting COVID-19, and the refusal to get tested for the virus.
During the time of these deaths, it was necessary to separate COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients, and testing was done to prevent the spread of the disease, especially in hospital wards.
Despite women avoiding health facilities, ANMs and ASHAs regularly monitored their health through home visits and counseling, urging them to visit hospitals during delivery.
In response to the high number of deaths, the state government launched a &rescue mission& and health teams were formed to identify and register all pregnant women on a mobile application to prevent such incidents.
The state administration also acknowledged that socio-economic and gender factors contributed to the high number of maternal and child deaths in Meghalaya, in addition to the pandemic.
High-risk pregnant women were tracked and none of them were allowed to deliver at home, being asked to get admitted to hospitals at least two weeks before their due dates.
The &rescue mission& was launched alongside Covid-19 management, with districts asked to ensure 100% ANC (Ante Natal Care) registration for early treatment and prevention of maternal mortality, and adopting several strategies.
